8 Friday, April 12, 2019 brooklintowncrier.com Woodcarving Show Highlights Skills submitted by Robert Woodill The Brooklin Woodcarving Show and Competition was held recently at the Brooklin Community Centre. Visitors were entertained by demonstra- tions from 20 different wood-carving clubs and vendors from throughout the Durham area and beyond. A tool raffle awarded gift certificates and prizes from Chipping Away, Lee Valley Tools, Woodchuckers, Princess Auto, Carve It Up, Old Railway Station, and Arnold Koch, totaling $600. The Brooklin club gathered carvings done by members and gave them away as door prizes. Refreshment sales were successful thanks to the deli- cious sandwiches made by Judy Pater as well as baked goods donated by club members. The carvings entered in the show ranged from novice to open. This year, the Best in Show was an amazing relief done by Bill Hamilton, a long-time member of the Cedar Ridge Carving Club. The People's Choice award was a captivating whimsical castle carved in cottonwood bark by Murray Hamilton of the Port Perry Club. Until this year's event and for 25 years, the show had been held at the Heydenshore Pavilion. When notified by the Town that the Pavilion would be closing for good and torn down, an appeal was made to Mayor Don Mitchell. That's how the venue came to Brooklin. It's more square footage and so four new categories were added to the competition: birds of prey, waterfowl, woodturning, and pyrography. This contributed to a ten percent increase in the number of carvings entered. Photos from the show have been posted at www.brooklinwoodcarvers.com, along with a list of the ribbon winners. The show was a success thanks to the hard work of club members and volunteers. We would like to thank the Whitby Seniors for their generosity by allowing us to use the Kozy Korner for our refreshments. Last but not least, a well done to all the carvers who participated in this competition, by exposing your hard work to the public as well as to your peers, you breathe new life into the art of woodcarving. Next year's show will be the 30th anniversary, therefore the Brooklin Woodcarvers will be working hard to make it the best one ever. See you in 2020!